Is optimism finally within our grasp?

So here we are on the eve of the big announcement from Boris about how the Government plan to move us out of lockdown.

How do you feel about it? Excited, anxious, positive, negative, or maybe you've just had enough now and don't really know what to think anymore?

I'm sure within 24 hours from now, there will be the usual analysis, followed by the inevitable polarisation of opinion that new seems customary following any item deemed "newsworthy."

It's easy at times like this to feel a little out of control, like we have been stripped of all responsibility and that our levels of satisfaction, happiness and contentment are in the hands of others.

Is this really the case though, or can we in some way, be responsible for the quality of our own mindset?

I spoke about this very topic on BBC Radio Stoke last week ( attached below ) about how, even in times of uncertainty, when all the fun seems to have been stripped from life, we can still use this time to look ahead with optimism.

We are in challenging times, and may still be after the announcement tomorrow, but should that strip us of self responsibility? A sense of optimism is ultimately within our grasp. It's always there, we just need to be reminded occasionally how to look for it.

So as we head into spring, as the days get both longer and warmer, one simple question you can ask yourself, regardless of the news we will all hear tomorrow, is .....

"In 3 months time, what do I want to be most proud of?"

By asking this it does 3 things:

1. It gives us permission to do some self-reflection

2. It puts us into a positive frame of mind

3. It gives us a realistic timeframe to work to

Maybe have this question in mind as you listen to Boris tomorrow.